ASPINALL REVEALS BECKHAM AS CHILDHOOD IDOL

NATHAN ASPINALL has revealed his boyhood obsession with David Beckham after copying the England icon’s famous haircut!

‘The Asp’ grew up supporting Manchester United thanks to his dad and has fond memories of watching his heroes at Old Trafford. 

World No.15 Aspinall revealed his earliest football memory was David Beckham’s iconic halfway line goal against Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996/97 Premier League season. 

Aspinall admitted the moment had a huge impact on him and played a key role in inspiring his dream of becoming a professional footballer. 

He said: “In my childhood my dad was a massive Manchester United fan, we had a season ticket. 

“We used to go to the games all the time and it is a special place, Old Trafford. 

“Back in the day when I first started watching United we were winning everything. Not quite like that now but just amazing memories going to Old Trafford with my dad.

“For me the David Beckham goal from the halfway line. I think that was what put him on the map. 

“Certainly for me as a young lad I remember getting the David Beckham hairdo with the curtains. 

“I did have a skinhead! Unfortunately I never had the right foot. I actually have a photo of me with the David Beckham curtains. 

“I don’t think I could pull it off now. But back in the day it was all in.” 

Aspinall also revealed he came close to a career in the sport himself after progressing through the ranks as a goalkeeper. 

He added: “I wanted to be David Beckham as a goalkeeper. I played at a decent standard. I was at the Man United goalkeeping academy. 

“I had trials for Stockport and got offered a contract at Rangers. I played semi-pro for a season. 

“I always wanted to be a footballer, most kids growing up wanted to be like their idols playing football. 

“I had a little taste of it. But when it came to the crunch, I wasn’t tall enough.” 

Despite turning to darts instead, Aspinall still holds Beckham in the highest regard alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. 

He continued: “There are two. My sporting idol is Ronaldo. But I think he is pretty much everyone’s. Ronaldo and David Beckham without a doubt.

“Ronaldo, I think, is the ultimate athlete. But David Beckham was the guy that got me into football.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.